Put the needle on it

Nov 23 2006 by Emma Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

How young is too young for Botox? Emma Johnson investigates

BOTOX. If you haven't had it chances are you know someone who has. As cosmetic surgery veers ever closer to becoming as commonplace as a cut and blow, more and more women are nipping off for a spot of piercing with the UK's favourite neurotoxin.

Experts predict that by next year the non-surgical market will be worth a whopping £100m and it seems women (and men) are no longer waiting until the sag of middle age to reach for the needle.

In the past year, Transform, the UK's biggest provider of cosmetic surgery, reports a 10% increase in twentysomething women requesting non-surgical treatments and Botox in particular.

"Botox is the most effective way to eliminate frown lines, wrinkling of the forehead or crows feet around the eyes," says Rebecca Johnson, of Transform. Botox for prevention is becoming increasingly popular in young people who - at a young age - start to develop frown lines.

"Botox gives the forehead and eye area a smooth, fresh wide-awake look and it is especially good when used for prevention rather than cure as it can help to slow down the development of very deep lines."

The wonder injectable of the 21st century, Botox is injected in minute quantities into specific muscle groups and prevents the neurotransmitter from working, effectively inactivating the muscle and costs anywhere between £200-350 a time.

"When the person tries to frown they can't," says Rebecca. "Once injected it may take up to a week for the effect to be fully apparent and Botox needs topping-up every three to six months to maintain the effect."

No frown equals no frown lines. But Rebecca insists that claims all Botox babes are left expressionless are exaggerated.